Welcome to the Homestead Blog Hop!
Boone McCrary.
Say his name.
He is a hero.
I never met him, but feel as if he was a part of the family, as for the past four to five days, our whole county and beyond has been lifting him up in prayer, along with his family.
He was a true hero.
His body was found today (Tuesday) in the waters downstream from where he saved another. His last act was one of service and sacrifice. He saved one from downing, yet the waters trapped him and pulled him to his death.
AdSearching
Our community has been searching for days, and many rescue efforts have gone out. Countless prayers and words of support have been lifted in his behalf. We all hoped for that miracle.
When yesterday the news came out that a body had been found in the river, we all sensed the dread. Even if not Boone, it was somebody’s loved one. I don’t know how they determined that it was him, but I know that as a community we are all shaken. It’s not because our county is the hardest hit region, because I’ve read horrific accounts of how Helene ravaged western North Carolina, just over the state line. More, it’s because every life is valuable, and in our town, Boone’s life mattered.
Hero
I say he’s a hero, and that is true. He ventured out on the water Friday to pull someone else out, and he saved that woman. Then his boat capsized, pulling him under the current and out of sight.
Boone appeared to be a seasoned boatman and had confidence on the water. It’s just another tragedy, apparently not because of anything rash or reckless. He risked it all to save a life.
Hometown Hero Around Town
I did not know Boone—have no idea if I brushed shoulders with him in town. In a small town like Greeneville, it’s a good chance our paths crossed.
Boone was an emergency room nurse, working in our local hospital. I am a nurse as well. I heard only positive things about his life.
Boone is gone. Our hearts go out to his family, and his name will not be forgotten. Someone proposed the idea of naming the new bridge after him. Either way, his name will life on as the one who gave his life to save others.
Hometown Heroes All Around
Boone was not the only hometown hero. Not by far.
If you drive into Greene County today, you will find these hometown heroes scattered all throughout the region.
They are filling up water tanks from their private wells to haul in and share.
You may see them wielding a shovel and bucket, or a chainsaw and hard hat.
It’s possible you’ll see them driving a tractor or a truck laden with pipes and tarps.
They are serving hot meals to frontline workers, and passing out baby wipes.
Invisible Heroes
Some, you’ll never see, but they’re shooting video and pictures, editing and posting, so people like you and I can stay updated.
Our hometown heroes come in all sizes. Some are four feet tall and wear a smile and hold out water bottles.
Some come from churches, and some ride in on Harleys.
Big Names and Nobodies
Hometown heroes stay up for nights on end, collaborating and networking to come up with plans the affect tens of thousands of citizens while we sleep and criticize their efforts. None of this would happen without our local officials, who truly care about their people. They have gone above and beyond, updating our people twice a day, and somehow getting the ball rolling against impossible odds.
Quiet heroes never leave home, but lift up the others in prayer, for strength and wisdom, safety and resources.
If you’ve seen any trucks rolling into town with pallets of water, buckets, and pumps, you’ve seen some of these hometown heroes.
I have been so proud of my community through all of this. Some have gotten rude, but most are just made of gold.
Getting Squeezed
They say that what’s inside comes oozing out when we are under pressure. Let’s hope that only goodness and help comes out, so that we can be a true help to those around us today who need our help.
It doesn’t take giving it all to he a hometown hero, but it does take giving something.
Remember Boone, and find something you can give from your heart today.
Laurie
Homestead Blog Hop will take place every Wednesday and is for all things homesteading: real food recipes, farm animals, crafts, DIY, how-to’s, gardening, anything from-scratch, natural home/health, self-sufficiency, self-reliance, natural remedies, essential oils, & more! Basically anything related to homesteading.
Meet Your Hosts!
Follow Their Blogs
Natasha – Houseful of Nicholes (Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter | Instagram)
Laurie – Ridge Haven Homestead (Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram)
Liz – The Cape Coop (Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter | Instagram)
Kelly – Simple Life Mom (Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram)
FEATURED POSTS from the Last Homestead Blog Hop
Each week we take turns choosing three posts to feature. Each post will be shared on all social media platforms by all of the hosts! Here are the features from Last Week’s Hop:
1. Spiral Apple Bread from Treat and Trick
2. Why Were We Told to Love Our Neighbor? from Tea With Jennifer
3. Carrot Top Pesto from The Copper Table
Congrats! Feel free to grab the featured on button for your post.
Just right click and ‘save image as…‘
Guidelines for this Get-Together:
- Click on the “Add your Link” Button below and add a great image of your project or recipe. Make sure you link to the page of your family friendly post – not the main page of your blog.
- Link up to three posts each week.
- Try to visit at least a few other blogs at the party. Be sure to leave a comment to let them know you stopped by.
- Link your post back to the Homestead Blog Hop. If the hop isn’t linked to your post then you cannot be featured. All featured posts will be shared on all hosts’ social media channels.
- Please link up posts that you haven’t linked to the hop before. You are welcome to link old posts from your blog.
- By joining the party, you are giving the hosts permission to use one photo from your post with a link back to your site if it is selected as one of next week’s Features.
- This is a family-friendly link up meant to inspire and motivate the homesteader in all of us.
Let the Party Begin!
Join Our Pinterest Board
Follow all your hosts on Pinterest and send me a message that you’d like to be added to our Homestead Blog Hop group board. The only rule is to only add posts that you’ve also added here.
So heartbreaking, daily praying!
Thanks, for hosting, Laurie. May you have a fantastic week.
My entries this week are numbered #13+14
Hope you will join/share M-Sat at https://esmesalon.com/tag/seniorsalonpitstop/
Such a hero. My heart is breaking for everyone in these areas of devastation. I am praying for each and every one of you.
Thank you for sharing Boone’s story with us all, Laurie! My heart goes out to your community and all those dealing with the aftermath of Helene. I will be holding you all – and Boone and his family – in my thoughts and prayers!